NHL Playoff Watch: Blue Jackets' Late-Season Surge

The NHL season is heating up as teams vie for playoff positions. The Columbus Blue Jackets, once holding the East's first wild-card spot, are now three points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final wild-card berth. With a challenging schedule ahead, including games against the New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators, the Jackets face an uphill battle.

Current Standings and Projections

• Eastern Conference Wild Card Race: The Blue Jackets are trailing the Canadiens, Islanders, and Rangers. Their remaining schedule is ranked as the ninth-toughest in the league.
• Western Conference: The Winnipeg Jets lead the Central Division, while the Vegas Golden Knights dominate the Pacific Division.

Key Games to Watch

• Columbus Blue Jackets at Pittsburgh Penguins: This Friday night clash could be pivotal for the Jackets' playoff hopes.
• Ottawa Senators vs. New Jersey Devils: A crucial matchup in the Eastern Conference wild card race.

NHL Draft Lottery Insights

As teams prepare for the postseason, others are already looking ahead to the NHL draft lottery. The San Jose Sharks currently hold the worst record, giving them the highest odds for the No. 1 pick.

Full Playoff Projections

Using data from Stathletes, here are the current playoff matchups:

Eastern Conference

• Florida Panthers vs. Ottawa Senators
• Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
• Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens
• Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils

Western Conference

• Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues
• Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche
• Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild
• Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings

Stay tuned as the NHL playoff race intensifies, with every game potentially altering the postseason landscape.